'Bath salts' led to two police shootings, one deadly, in past week

Columbus police have shot two men in the past week who were reportedly high on drugs marketed as "bath salts" that doctors and police say can make users aggressive and violent.

Columbus police have shot two men in the past week who were reportedly high on drugs marketed as “bath salts” that doctors and police say can turnusers violent.

“These drugs, even on first use, can dramatically change a person’s perception of reality,” said Paul H. Coleman, the president and CEO of Maryhaven, which treats drug and alcohol addictions.

Bath salts “can make a person feel everyone is out to get them. People need to stay away from them.”

He likened bath salts to LSD and PCP, saying that the hallucinations and paranoia are similar. Despite the name, there is no similarity to the salts used for a relaxing dip in a bathtub.

And despite a statewide ban that went into effect in October, users have found a way to snort, smoke or shoot up the drugs.

Kevin Boozer, 28, was shot and killed byColumbus SWAT Officer Glenn Thivener on Tuesday after Boozerheld a knife to his girlfriend’s neck at a house onthe Far West Side, police said. Boozer’s relatives blamed bath salts for making him violent.

OnThursday, officers responded to a call that Steven P. Lindsey, 28, was breaking into his own house at 1652 S. Champion Ave. on the South Side. Investigators believe he locked himself out.